OCM announces second medical cannabis advisory council cohort

Council brings expertise in public health, oncology, addiction medicine, psychiatry, toxicology, pharmacy and cannabis science

ALBANY — The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced the second cohort of its Medical Cannabis Advisory Council (MCAC), bringing together 10 clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals to strengthen cannabis-related clinical care, education, and public health across New York State. Established in 2023, MCAC brings clinical expertise directly into OCM’s work to strengthen the Medical Cannabis Program. The first cohort of 13 members helped to evaluate research and develop clinical guidance for practitioners. Building upon that work, this second cohort will focus on translating emerging research into practical education, tools, and resources that healthcare professionals can use when caring for and counseling patients.

“Healthcare professionals are increasingly having conversations with patients about cannabis, and our responsibility is to make sure they have credible information and useful tools to guide those conversations,” said John Kagia, Executive Director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “The second cohort of the Medical Cannabis Advisory Council brings together an exceptional range of clinical, research and public health expertise. Their work will help us strengthen New York’s medical cannabis program while building a stronger connection between cannabis care and the broader healthcare system.”

The second cohort includes:

– Rebecca Ashare, PhD — Professor and Director of Clinical Training, University at Buffalo; Cannabis in Oncology

– Adam Blumenberg, MD — Attending Physician and Associate Professor, Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian Medical Center; Medical Toxicology and Emergency Medicine

– Wilbur Hitt, MD — Professor, Albany Medical Center; OB-GYN and Informatics

– Constantine Ioannou, MD — Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services, Nassau University Medical Center; Psychiatry

– Jessica Kruger, PhD — Director of Teaching Innovation and Excellence, University at Buffalo; Community Health

– Christopher Kudrich, PA — Physician Assistant, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry

– Joshua Rein, DO — Assistant Professor of Medicine and Staff Research Physician, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/James J. Peters VA Medical Center

– Jim Seaberg, MPH — Assistant Director, Drexel University Medical Cannabis Research Center; Healthcare Management, Policy and Clinical Research

– Danielle Smith, MPH, PhD — Assistant Professor, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Public Health and Cannabis Science

– Erin Walsh, PharmD, RPh, MSc — Clinical Pharmacist and Founder, Viridis Care, PLLC; Cannabis Sciences and Therapeutics

“This Council gives us an opportunity to bring clinicians, researchers and public health experts together to address a need we see every day: patients are asking questions about cannabis, and healthcare professionals need reliable information to answer them,” said Dr. June Chin, Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and Chair of the Medical Cannabis Advisory Council. “This next cohort brings expertise from across the healthcare field that will help us turn emerging research into practical clinical education and tools. Our goal is to give practitioners the resources they need to have informed conversations with their patients and provide care that is evidence-informed, patient-centered and grounded in public health.”

The second cohort will focus its work in three areas:

– Developing clinical coursework, including medical curricula, cannabis education resources and supplemental training that incorporates cannabis-related care and culturally competent approaches. 

– Developing clinical tools, including screening and assessment resources, treatment protocols, documentation and billing practices, and resource lists.

– Supporting patient education by helping practitioners access current scientific literature, harm-reduction resources and patient-centered educational materials.

The Council’s work will also help inform system-wide efforts envisioned through New York’s Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity, while serving as a distinct advisory body bringing clinical and academic expertise directly into OCM’s medical cannabis work.

“I am deeply honored to join the Medical Cannabis Advisory Council and contribute to New York’s leadership in evidence-based cannabis care. Drawing on the cutting-edge science being conducted at Roswell Park and elsewhere, I look forward to helping translate rigorous research into practical guidance that supports clinicians and ensures equitable, informed access for patients and communities across New York State.” Said Danielle Smith, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“I am honored to be selected by the OCM to join the Medical Cannabis Advisory Council,” said Jim Seaberg Assistant Director of the Drexel University Medical Cannabis Research Center (MCRC). “I hope to leverage my experience as a medical cannabis patient, public health professional, and medical cannabis researcher to help inform the work of the OCM to help limit the harms and maximize the benefits of cannabis.”

“As a medical toxicologist and emergency physician, I bring expertise in potentially harmful substances to help guide the work of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. During my term, I hope to minimize the risks of cannabis use by improving guidance on safe dosing, clear labeling, strong packaging and product standards, and testing so that the contents and doses of cannabis products match what the label says,” said Adam Blumenberg, MD MA FACEP FAACT FNYAM, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. “My goals are to help adults make informed and responsible choices about cannabis, develop policies that protect children and other vulnerable populations, and reduce unintended harms including addiction and overdoses from high-dose cannabis products.” 

Members will serve a one-year term, with the possibility of a one-year extension. Together, they will provide OCM with multidisciplinary expertise as the Office continues to strengthen clinical education, expand access to credible cannabis information and support healthcare professionals caring for patients across New York. For more information about the Medical Cannabis Advisory Council and OCM’s medical cannabis initiatives, visit https://cannabis.ny.gov/mcac.